December 11, 2008

Bring Me The Head of Butch Willis

Ah, so I just learned how Mike Patton performed "Inconsolable Widows in Search of Distraction" from the Adult Themes For Voice album (stream). It's so easy, he just taps his Adam's apple! It's more difficult but still possible to do a similar, more extreme thing without touching your throat. Or at least you can if you're as cool as I am.

I digress. Al Breon's very outsider "guitar voice" techniques in fact informed me about Patton's very insider experimental record. Whereas Patton's vocals are sophisticated and forward-thinking, however, Breon's wailing is totally inane and sounds nothing like a guitar anyway. And so he's perfect to join the band of a true giant of incorrect music, Butch Willis, whom you'll find below. On the left is Butch Willis and The Rocks in a really great performance that ends with a fog machine malfunction. On the right is a '96 solo performance at Galaxy Hut in Arlington, Virginia. I'd also recommend watching this performance of Willis' #1 hit, TVs from Outer Space. As with more than a few outsiders, Butch Willis has some rabid fans - accordingly, you can find a lengthy bio and interview here. Apparently Teenbeat Records is working on a documentary.